Rainy night causes flash flooding in Calgary

Heavy rain has triggered flash floods in low-lying parts of Calgary, two weeks after the city was swamped by severe flooding.

Some streets were submerged and some basements flooded in the Sunnyside, Mission, and Victoria Park areas.

The downpour also soaked the Calgary Stampede grounds, sending thousands of people scurrying for cover.

And even though rain may have dampened some of the night's festivities, the fact the Calgary Stampede is happening at all is a milestone in itself.

The damage did force Stampede organizers to cancel several events, but the show is, for the most part, going on, starting with Friday's opening parade, led by none other then Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.

But the rain tapered off over night and the flood waters quickly receded.

Still, it was a rainy, rainy night for much of southern and Alberta and much of Saskatchewan.

Tornado watches were in effect in parts of Alberta and severe thunderstorm watches popped up in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon.

The worst of the rain rallied as the evening rolled on, and the downpours flooded streets in several towns.

One caller to The Weather Network stormline reported 50 mm fell in two hours in Medicine Hat.

In Calgary, it was deja vu as flash flooding filled streets and basements with water.

The city is still reeling from June's flooding, which drove 75,000 Calgarians from their home and decimated the town of High River.

TUNE: Tune into The Weather Network on TV as we report LIVE from the Calgary Stampede July 5-14.

And even though rain may have dampened some of the night's festivities, the fact the Calgary Stampede is happening at all is a milestone in itself.

The damage did force Stampede organizers to cancel some events, but the show is, for the most part, going on, starting with Friday's opening parade, led by none other then Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.